The season has come... the season to return to Cheorwon, the home of my soul. On the way up, I hit up a legendary spot for the 5th Corps and had a bowl of spicy galbi. Stable taste that hasn't changed in years.
Perfect sikhye for dessert.
The start of Gakheulbong Peak. It's hard to explain, but those who know, knowโGakheulbong occasionally gets restricted access for certain reasons. So...
I inquired with both Pocheon-si and Cheorwon-gun to see if camping was allowed (since the peak sits right between them). Fortunately, there were no restrictions this weekend.
A shot of me hiking. As you all know, this Saturday had strong winds and snow. Honestly, I decided to climb here specifically after hearing that news. Anyway, I hiked through a blizzard. The video doesn't capture all the snow, but from a first-person view, it was coming down pretty hard.
Finally reached the ridge at the summit. That wire fence isn't a military restricted zone; it's an ASF prevention fence to stop wild boars from crossing over. Humans can just open the gate in the middle and pass through.
Once I hit the summit, the snow let up a bit, but massive winds were blowing along the ridge. The wind was attacking me with the snow piled on the ridge, so it was pretty tough to handle.
Anyway... the sun set, and there was no way I could reach my goal of Gakheulsan in this state. I found a slope where a large rock blocked the main wind direction, leveled it with a shovel, and pitched my tent on the snow. Since it was on a slope, there wasn't enough space to pitch it tautly. I had my doubts about whether it would hold up against this wind without collapsing.
I just prayed it wouldn't collapse and crawled inside to eat some castella.
Temperature inside the tent was -15ยฐC. I peeked outside for a bit, and it was still snowing, plus no stars were visible because of the clouds. So I popped some heat packs, laid in my sleeping bag, watched YouTube, and fell asleep early.
Then at 2 AM, I suddenly woke up. I stepped outside for a second, and the snow had stopped and the clouds were gone.
Literally, the stars were pouring down.
There was a bit of a screw-up (jin-ppa) where the glowing parts of my headlamp got caught in the shot, but please be cool about it.
Anyway, it was so damn pretty that I spent about an hour just taking star photos.
I confirmed the temperature was below -20ยฐC and crawled back into my warm sleeping bag to sleep.
The next morning, luckily, I woke up before sunrise.
Those who know will realize what a ridiculous spot I pitched that tent in. Still, I slept fairly comfortably, and it survived both the wind and snow without collapsing once. Chinese tents have improved a lot lately, but in the end, the good ones are from Europe/US/Japan...
The ridge looks truly beautiful covered in snow.
...For a moment, I remembered being here a few years ago.
The sun is slowly rising.
Pya~~ This seems like a great spot for a New Year's Day hike.
My tent seen from afar.
Even if I was in a rush at night, I pitched it like a total mess. Honestly, it's a miracle it didn't collapse in that wind in this state.
Anyway, quick pack up. Since I slept on snow, I couldn't leave it perfectly untouched like usual, but I picked up every single piece of trash.
The sun is high in the sky, but the temperature is still around -20ยฐC. As expected of Cheorwon, no mercy.
Geumhaksan and Godaesan in the distance... looking truly majestic.
Descending via the exact same route I took up yesterday. Looks like nobody else came up after me.
Snow was up to my ankles, but I pushed through with the power of Gore-Tex waterproof boots + crampons + gaiters.
Had breakfast on a flat spot halfway down.
Beautiful pine forest near the end of the descent. I like it because there aren't many leaves to get in the way, and above all, it looks cool.
A stream also near the end. Even at -20ยฐC, the water is lukewarm. There must be a hot spring bubbling up somewhere. Interesting.
Since I was curious, I went to a real hot spring and did 3 cycles of hot tub -> sauna -> cold tub -> outdoor bath to melt away the fatigue.
Saw some eagles on the way home.
Finally, hanging up the wet camping gear on the drying rack ends this adventure~
"Users are totally captivated by the stunning star photos and the OP's sheer 'romance' for enduring -20ยฐC Cheorwon weather for a voluntary military-style experience."
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